Program Details

M.A. in Special Education – Teacher Leader Overview

With Campbellsville University’s online master’s in special education teacher leader degree, you will get the opportunity to expand your credentials and acquire the required knowledge to meet the unique challenges presented in special education. You will be able to create a strong learning environment for students who have emotional, behavioral and learning disorders. The program is taught by education faculty in collaboration with area school district personnel and aligns with the necessities of P-12 schools.

Through the online master’s in special education, you will develop a teacher leader professional growth plan that is based on a self-assessment of your teacher leadership skills and input from school principals. You will also establish effective management and research skills for education.

The degree provides experiences in test administration and interpretation as it is applied to diverse learners and making eligibility, program and placement decisions for those students. You will also explore the effective strategies for improving the classroom behavior of students, as well as the fundamentals, assessment processes and strategies used to ensure that all students succeed in their studies. In addition, you’ll explore practical methods for developing and evaluating instruction in mathematics and reading.

A hands-on action research practicum is also required within the coursework. Through the practicum, you will identify a learning issue within a group of students, research mediation methods, implement the intervention and collect and analyze the resulting data. You will then present your findings to your colleagues or to someone within the district.

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Our online master’s in special education teacher leader program is also accredited by NCATE, the National Council for the Accreditation for Teacher Education. The fully online degree offers the flexibility and convenience of being able to complete coursework when it best fits your schedule. In addition, the program’s faculty have real-world experience in the field of special education.

Course Map

The online master’s in special education teacher leader program includes 30 credit hours and takes approximately two years to complete.

Take all of the following:

ED 655:Empowerment for Teacher Leadership

Candidates develop a Teacher Leader Professional Growth Plan, based on self-assessment of teacher leadership skills and input from principals. They will identify a topic for the
Action Research Project to be implemented in their classroom.

ED 665: Research Methods

Candidates will determine research method(s) for their action research projects and
identify the project participants (must be from their own classrooms).

ED 670 & 675: Action Research Practicum I/II

Candidates will continue refinement of action research projects and receive feedback on
project implementation (professor, peers, professional learning communities in schools). Teacher Leader Professional Growth Plan is monitored and progress reported through collegial discussions and in a reflection paper.

ED 690: Supervision of Instruction

Candidates will learn effective mentoring techniques and be trained as resource
teachers for the KY Teacher Internship Program. They will be prepared to serve in the role of supervising both student teachers and interns. They will present to their peers, professional learning communities in their schools, and SBDM Councils the results of from implementing the Action Research Projects. Teacher Leader Professional Growth Plans will be assessed.

Candidates will refine their knowledge and understanding of behavioral assessment and intervention strategies that have been effective for individuals with a wide range of disabilities. They will design and implement comprehensive behavior management plan.

This course will provide appropriate pertinent experiences in test administration and interpretation applied to diverse learners and informed use of assessment data. The administrator of formal achievement testing and informal measures of assessment will
be discussed. Emphasis will be on making eligibility, program, and placement decisions for diverse learners. With student learning being at the core of the School of Education’s conceptual framework, such advanced experiences related to assessment and using such assessments effectively to design appropriate responses to student work is crucial to classroom and student success.

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and understanding of behavioral assessment and intervention strategies that have been effective for individuals with a wide range of disabilities including: EBD, LD, MMD, and ASD. Students will learn to (a)
identify and assess problem behavior, (b) design and implement behavioral interventions, (c) design learning environments that will prevent problem behaviors, (d) apply behavioral procedures in educational settings, and (e) understand interconnections between biological, cognitive, social, and emotional dimensions of behavior.

SED 697: Learning Disabilities: Foundations, Assessment and Strategies for Success for All Students

All learners possess unique characteristics, interests, and abilities. Educators are responsible for connecting instructional planning to individual strengths and needs of learners with disabilities. This advanced course serves to deepen students’ understanding of all learners. Students will review the federal and state definitions of specific learning disabilities, eligibility criteria for support services, the regulations that govern such service, and the instructional responsibilities of all teachers of students with mild to moderate learning disorders. Theories, current issues such as cultural and linguistic diversity of students, inclusion, differentiating instruction for diverse learners, different assessment processes, early intervention strategies and the standards-based education reform movement are 108 broadly addressed. The course will provide strategies to make teaching and learning more effective in increasingly
diverse schools.

SED 698: Designing and Assessing Effective Instruction in Mathematics

The primary focus of this course is an in-depth examination of the teaching of mathematics to children with learning and behavioral disorders. The overall context in which these researched-based best practices are considered are the national curricular reforms in
mathematics. Clearly, this course primarily attends to domains of pedagogy, and its relationship to subject matter, curriculum, and pedagogical content knowledge. Specific attention is provided in this course to the teaching that responds to the reform recommendations identified by National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
Candidates will demonstrate their understanding of best practice mathematics instruction for exceptional children through a case-study project.

SED 699: Reading Theories and Practice

This course focuses on effective reading instruction, building on teacher knowledge, assessment, effective practice, differentiated instruction and family/home connections. Teachers will learn evidence-based reading strategies to become highly effective reading teachers who understand how to use Response to Intervention (RTI) with all students and students with special needs. Field experiences provide opportunities for teachers to collaborate with public school practitioners to help a struggling reader.

Admissions Requirements

In order to apply to Campbellsville University’s accredited special education certificate online, prospective students must submit or complete the following:

Official college transcripts containing a complete record of all courses attempted at any past or current colleges or universities

Three professional reference letters

GRE or Praxis CORE/CASE scores (MASE only)

Criminal background check

Risk assessment or tuberculosis skin test

One-page personal essay on goals for pursuing graduate studies

Copy of valid teaching certificate (TLMASE only)

Costs & Financial Aid

The online master’s in special education costs $299 per credit hour. In order to help students afford their education, Campbellsville University’s staff is available to work with students to discover available financial aid options.

Students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what scholarships, grants, loans and payment plans are available for them. There are numerous options available, and not all financial aid is based on need.

Campbellsville University is a military-friendly school and a proud member of the Yellow Ribbon program. Students who are currently serving at home or abroad or are veterans can further their education in a conducive online environment.

Careers in Special Education

Upon graduation of our online master’s in special education teacher leader program, you can pursue a career as a special education teacher. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that special education teachers earn a median salary of $58,980 per year as of May 2017, and employment for the position is expecting to increase by 8 percent through 2026.

Why CU Online?

Focused on Your Growth

Our well-rounded education in the arts and sciences is central to our goal of fostering your personal and professional growth.

Faith-Based Education

Founded in 1906 as a Christian university, we welcome diverse perspectives and prepare students to become Christian servant leaders.

Affordable and Convenient

Campbellsville seeks to provide an affordable education for its students. Our online degree programs are in a convenient format so you can study whenever and wherever you want.

Accreditation

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.

Benefits of Learning Online

Campbellsville University offers several dynamic online degrees so that students can continue their education and hone their skills. Campbellsville’s online campus has been recognized as one of the best by numerous outlets. The institution’s faculty members have real-world experience in their fields, so students can get a glimpse of working in their prospective career. Students can also conveniently fit online coursework into their busy schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We offer a generous transfer policy for our online degree programs. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.

Yes. You will have to complete the FAFSA form, and we will then determine your eligibility for any financial aid. Visit our financial aid page to learn more about your options, which include scholarships and grants.

You can apply to our online degree programs through the online application form. Remember to submit official copies of your high school and/or college transcripts, along with any other required documentation that is specific to your degree program. You can visit the admissions process page to learn more about what to expect throughout the process.

Find Your Calling

Request a free info packet and get connected to an enrollment counselor.

Accreditation

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.

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